The mountain shelters of Crete, warm and hospitable, are intended for the weary hiker or traveller. They are perched in eagles' nests above the rough and stony mountains of the island. To get to them, it's necessary to get in touch with the local hiking organization. The Kallergi shelter is an exception. You will find it open from April to October. Visit the shelters in Crete and get to know a way of life which is vigorous and wild. Feel the sensations they offer.

Kallergi Shelter

It is the jewel of the White Mountains. The hike from Omalos is about 1-1/2 hours or 5 km along a rural road. The shelter is situated above the gorge of SAMARIA with a unique view of the White Mountains. It is open from April until the end of October to welcome hikers and tired travellers.

LOCATION: Above and over the National Road of Samaria and the Omalos plateau

ALTITUDE: 1.680 metres

ACCOMODATIONS: 50 places for climbers and in the summer more can fit

BUILT IN: 1970

Katsiveli - Svourikti Shelter

This is a small and picturesque mountain shelter. It is situated in the center of the White Mountains. To get to the shelter, you need about 6 hours of hiking from the KALLERGI shelter or about 7 hours from the Ksiloskalo. There is an alternative route, from the village of Anopoli in the Sfakia area, which takes about 6 hours. It is possible to go faster if you use the mountainous rural roads, which demand only 3 hours of hiking.

LOCATION: In the foothills of the Svouritxtis, Central White Mountains

ALTITUDE: 1.970 metres

ACCOMODATIONS: 25 Places for climbers

BUILT IN: 1992

Volika Shelter

The shelter is situated on the western slopes of the White Mountains. It is surrounded by the summits of SPATHI, VENIZELOS and AGIO PNEUMA which offer summer and winter climbing adventures. The mountain shelter of Bolika was the first mountainer shelter built in Crete. It is 3-hour hike from the village of KAVOI to the shelter. It is possible to go faster if you use the mountainous rural roads, which require only about an hour of hiking.

Tavris Askifou Shelter

This shelter is situated in the plateau above the village of ASKUFO in the Sfakia region. The shelter was built on land donated by the mountaineer, Christos Christodoulakhs from Askufo. Its construction began in 1988 and finished in 1992. In the plataeu of Tavris Niato and in the summits of Kastro, the mountaineers of Hania have accomplished ascents since 1930. In ASKUFO and in TAVRIS, they used for the first time Sking in Crete in 1955.

Toubotos Prinos Shelter

The shelter is 3 hours and 45 minutes from Fourfoura, where the road leads to the village KOUROUTES and to the shelter. Toubotos is situated in the western slopes of the PSLOREITIS mountains with a view of the White Mountains and the Libian Sea. To stay there, you must get in touch with the Hiking club of RETHMINO.

Prinos Shelter (Psiloriti)

The shelter services the summits of GURISTI (1779 m) and KOUTHOUNI (1860 m) as well as many crossing hiking routes. In the gorge, there are three 60m rock climbing routes with a difficulty of VI. There are two ways to get to the shelter. From the village of ANO ASITES, head towards the village of PRINAS On your right as you leave the village, there is a dirt road which is labeled at the junctions until the area of the "bee hives". There you will meet an entrance. Soon afterwhich a path begins leading to the gorge. The route of the path is very well labelled. The hike is from 1-1/2 to 2 hours. From the village of KATO ASITES, you can drive to the MONI GORGOLAINI and continue along a dirt road towards the dry fields in which there is a cement tank. From here, leave the car and after a 20 minute walk, you will arrive at the shelter.

Limnarkarou Shelter

The shelter is found in the area of ANESTASI, above the west side of the LIMNARKARO plains. It is about one hour and 45 minutes from AGIO GEORGIO.

Information and photographs have been provided by George Antonakakis, a professional mountaineering instructor.